Best way to slow return?

[jejton]

Can you tell me how you built that manifold i.e. what parts and sizes?

 

[autoponicz]

umm....lemme try to remember all the pieces...
3- 1/2" T
3- 1/2" ball valves
3- 1/2" MPT barb fittings
3- 1/2" mpt adapters
1-1/2" cap
1- 3/4"x3/4"x1/2" T
1-3/4" union
1-3/4"x1/2" reducing bushing

and pvc pipe cut in 1-1/2" pieces to connect evrything

dont forget a small can of pvc glue

 

[jejton]

Whats the reducing bushing for?

 

[autoponicz]

because the return plumbing is 3/4"...so you need to reduce it to 1/2" after the union for the manifold....
but wait....is your return 3/4" or 1/2"?

 

[jejton]

But you used a 3/4x3/4x1/2 Tee so didnt that reduce it ?

 

[jejton]

How did you connect the T's directly to each other ?

 

[Tim]

He used piece`s of 1/2in. pvc cut into 1-1/2in. length to join them....

 

[autoponicz]

tim got it right...
but i made a mistake with the T...
i used a 3/4" T ...then i connected the onion to it...then i used a 3/4" x1/2" bushing to connect the 1/2" manifold to it.

 

[autoponicz]

 

[jejton]

oh so thats how people do it. i needlessly lengthened my plumbing because i couldnt figure out how to connect the unions and ball valves and such without a length of pvc in between. duh, why didnt i think of that? so instead of the 3/4" T I could just use a 3/4x3/4x1/2 and avoid the bushing? Whats the difference between a bushing and reducing coupler? thanks for bearing with me. i just siliconed the skimmer and it was anything but neat. when i come back from the weekend ill put it online so ill be around if any disasters happen.

 

[autoponicz]

you can go without the bushing...then you would need a 1/2" union....i find the union hole is smaller than 1/2" so i used a 3/4" union and then reduced the plumbing to 1/2"...or you can even go witout the union....but then after you glue the pvc together....its there for good...the union is there so you can angle the manifold or remove it in the future....i like to think ahead...(just in case)

coupling= connecting the same size pvc
bushing= connecting one size to another